PRESS RELEASE

SMOTY Award Winners Receive Trophies at The Expo Group's Annual Gala

Contact Dana Freker Doody
The Expo Group
Direct: 972-751-9644
ddoody@theexpogroup.com

High-res photos available

Irving, Texas - Jan. 3 2006 - The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards recently were presented at the annual awards recognition dinner. Five show managers were chosen from a field of over 50 nominees.

The 6th annual SMOTY award winners are:
> Tier I - 1 to 150 booths: Andrea Carrick, Director of Meetings, California Podiatric Medical Association
> Tier II - 151 to 300 booths: Peggy Ruh, Associate Producer, Full House Productions
> Tier III - 301 to 700 booths: Karla Little, President, KL Communications
> Tier IV - 701 to 1,500 booths: Kevin Klipsch, Senior Vice President, Exposition Management
> Tier V - 1,501+ booths: Jim Buckley, Vice President/Show Manager, Reed Exhibitions.

"It is an honor for us to be able to present the 2005 SMOTY award winners with a trophy recognizing their efforts and a $1,000 check for their favorite charity," says The Expo Group Director of Business Development Barbara Fett. "This event allows us to focus on the accomplishments of these very deserving show managers."

The Expo Group hosted this year's SMOTY dinner in the Savannah Hall at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta. The winners and their guests were flown to Atlanta and housed at the Four Seasons Hotel for the event.Guests included judges Robert Dallmeyer, President of RD International; Michael Hough, President, MRH Associates; Donna Sanford, Publisher, EXPO Magazine; and Donald Svehla, Publisher, Exhibit City News. Heidi Genoist of Tradeshow Week attended on behalf of Adam Schaffer, Publisher.

"It is rewarding to know that other organizations feel the importance of the recognition of this award," says Ms. Fett. American Airlines, Projection Presentation Technology and Wyndham Jade were supporters of this year's event. Sue Trizilla of Wyndham Jade and Nancy DeBrosse of Projection Presentation Technology presented two of the awards.

"We are pleased to have our sponsors taking an active role in the SMOTY dinner," says Ms. Fett. "This is an opportunity for vendors, show management firms and associations to celebrate the best and the brightest in our midst."

The Expo Group is a general service contractor providing a patented Single Source SolutionR for exhibitors' need. The Dallas-based company has sales offices in Washington D.C. and San Jose, Calif., and a distribution center in Las Vegas. In addition to contracting services, TEG provides show management, graphic and exhibit design services..

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